Ross County

Cam Wanstall
BBC Sport Scotland

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County sauntered to their first league victory of the season with a robust and competent defensive showing.

That is not to say the Staggies' forward line did not impress, as White put in an exemplary performance. But it was a defender who knocked in the opener and it was a fortunate spot-kick that kept the much-needed three points in Dingwall.

Don Cowie’s men were quite content to allow Dundee the majority of possession and barely managed to accurately complete over half their passes - finishing with a 52.3% passing accuracy percentage, compared to Dundee’s 73.7%.

The County boss was likely willing to take the risk of sitting back, safe in the knowledge that his backline, including Eli Campbell, who made his first start for the club, would maintain their concentration.

Skipper Connor Randall and summer signing Chilvers impressed throughout - with their persistent tackling and precise passing standing out in a congested midfield area that could have been likened to a battlefield at times.

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Goal scorers Akil Wright and Jordan White may feel hard done by, but an impressive showing in midfield gets Noah Chilvers the nod here.

The attacking midfielder grabbed his first assist from his dangerous delivery for Wright's opener and he continued to impress for the remainder of the game.

Chilvers' excellent passing and resilience in tough midfield battles stood out amongst a number of other strong County performances.

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Everton loanee Eli Campbell makes his first start for Ross County following a brief substitute appearance in the Highland club's defeat to Aberdeen a fortnight ago, replacing Ryan Leak in defence.

Noah Chilvers and Jordan White also come in from the start in favour of midfielder Aidan Denholm and striker Eamonn Brophy.

Ricki Lamie was already ruled out, but hopefuls Will Nightingale (doubt) and Max Sheaf (returning to full fitness, thigh) fail in their fitness bid to make the match day squad.

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Ross County: Laidlaw, Brown, Wright, Lopata, Campbell, Harmon, Randall, Nisbet, Chilvers, Hale, White.

Substitutes: Hamilton, Leak, Allardice, Loturi, Grieves, Denholm, Efete, Samuel, Brophy.

Dundee: McCracken, Ingram, Portales, Koumetio, Larkecke, Sylla, Mulligan, Cameron, Tiffoney, Palmer-Houlden, Murray.

Substitutes: Carson, Astley, McGhee, Main, Adewumi, F Robertson, Braybrooke, Graham, Vetro.

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Ross County defender Will Nightingale is doubtful while Ricki Lamie (Achilles) is still out. Max Sheaf is back in full training and closing in on a return after a lengthy lay-off with a thigh problem.

Dundee pair Charlie Reilly and Clark Robertson are back in full training after being sidelined since July, although neither are likely to feature this weekend. Joe Shaughnessy is "ahead of schedule" in his recovery from a ruptured ACL.

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Eli Campbell is embracing the challenge of playing in Scotland as his Ross County side prepare to face Dundee on Saturday.

The 20-year-old defender joined the Staggies on loan from Everton in the final days of the transfer window and made his debut off the bench in the last-gasp defeat by Aberdeen before the international break.

Former England youth international Campbell is ready to make his mark in a "competitive" Scottish Premiership.

"The league has a high standard, high quality and high intensity, it's something that I'm really looking forward to," he said.

On what he will bring to the team, Campbell added: "First and foremost, I'm a defender so I love defending, I love winning my duels, winning my tackles, my headers, getting blocks and ultimately keeping clean sheets.

"I also like to play out from the back and just express myself as a footballer."

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• Ross County have a greater win rate in the Scottish Premiership against Dundee than any other opponent (47.8% - 11/23), though are winless in their last three league meetings with the Dark Blues (D1 L2).

• Dundee have won their last two league games against Ross County without conceding, never winning three top-flight matches in a row versus the Staggies before.

• Ross County have failed to win each of their opening four matches of a top-flight season (D2 L2) for just a third time, after 2014-15 (first 7) and 2021-22 (10).

• Dundee have only won one of their last 10 Scottish Premiership away games (S4 L5), beating St Johnstone 2-1 in March last season.

• Ross County have recorded just 40 shots in total so far this season in the Scottish Premiership, with only St Mirren having fewer (36).

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Referee Ross Hardie was unable to rule out Cyriel Dessers' goal in Rangers' 6-0 win over Ross County because of an earlier foul by host midfielder Tom Lawrence, Scottish FA head of referees Willie Collum has explained.

Collum highlighted eight controversial incidents in The VAR Review, a new monthly show on the Scottish FA's YouTube channel, saying he was "content with the start we've made".

Rangers 6-0 Ross County - 24 August

County claimed Dessers' goal should have been disallowed because Tom Lawrence had fouled Connor Randall in the build-up.

"It is a clear foul for me the referee has missed on-field," Collum conceded. "It is a reckless tackle by the Rangers player. But VAR is not there to re-referee the match."

Collum points out that "there are far too many passes" between the foul and the goal, it therefore is not part of the same attacking phase of play and VAR was unable to intervene.

Ross County will do all they can to help Josh Nisbet win more Australia caps, says manager Don Cowie. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Don Cowie wants his Ross County side to be more "clinical" in front of goal as they head into matchday five in the Scottish Premiership having scored only once and still seeking a first win.

Although pleased with the number of opportunities County have created, Cowie insists they need to make their chances count against Dundee on Saturday.

"Goals change games, it's important," said the Dingwall manager. "It's about being clinical, it's about taking the opportunities when they come.

"Against Dundee United we were excellent for 45 minutes and created a number of opportunities and didn't take them.

"Against Aberdeen it was fine margins, an offside goal that there's not much in but it's given and then you get a penalty. That's what you work hard for, to get these opportunities.

"Then it's about taking them when they come along, but I've got every faith that if we keep doing what we're doing those goals will come."

Dundee sit sixth after an unbeaten start of one win and three draws.

"Since Tony Docherty's gone in, they've been excellent, really consistent," Cowie added.

"They started this season extremely well. It's going to be a tough game, it's one that we're looking forward to and we're ready for it."

Saturday also sees Dundee striker Simon Murray, who was pivotal to County's survival last season, return to Dingwall.

"We all know about Simon in terms of what he brings to the game, he's a real threat," said Cowie.

"He's someone who's confidence is sky high right now on the back of last season, so we're going to have to be on guard for that."

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Ross County boss Don Cowie has been speaking to the media prior to Saturday's league fixture against Dundee.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• The performance in the last-gasp defeat by Aberdeen before the international break was "was more like us, we were a team, we played together".

• Cowie was pleased to limit a Dons team in "red-hot form" to few opportunities and while disappointed to come away with nothing, wants to build on the display.

• Despite County's winless league start Cowie is impressed with how his side are progressing and says they are "in a good place" for the return to action.

• Having made 12 signings in the summer window, Cowie is pleased with his "really competitive squad and options for every position".

• Dundee have been "really consistent" under Tony Docherty and the Staggies boss is anticipating a tough game.

• On Simon Murray returning to Dingwall, Cowie says County "will have to be on guard, he's a real threat, with sky high confidence".

• Ricki Lamie is out and Will Nightingale is a doubt. Max Sheaf, who has been out since April with a thigh injury, is back in training.

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Ross County midfielder Josh Nisbet earned his third cap as Australia's World Cup qualifying travails continued with a goalless draw at Indonesia.

Despite an improved performance from the opening home defeat by Bahrain, the Socceroos couldn't find a breakthrough in Jakarta.

Nisbet came off the bench midway through the second half for the visitors.

Ross Morren
Fan writer

Ross County are preparing to welcome a familiar face to Dingwall this weekend as they return to Premiership action against Dundee.

Simon Murray was a fan favourite during his 18-month stay in the Highlands. His energy and determination have always been on display over the course of his career, but a tally of 23 goals in all competitions played a huge part in the Staggies' survival last season.

Murray's form hit a new height when Don Cowie was named interim manager at the beginning of February. A run of 12 goals and three assists in 19 matches even had some Scotland fans calling for his inclusion in the Euro 2024 squad following the injury to Lyndon Dykes.

Cowie will be hoping to nullify the goal threat both Murray and his Dundee team-mates possess. Tony Docherty's side are unbeaten this season and have 33 goals in all competitions, a hugely impressive tally.

However, it's not all been perfect for Dundee as defensive frailties mean they're yet to keep a clean sheet in their four league outings.

Apart from the 6-0 defeat by Rangers, County have been pretty solid in their Premiership matches. In contrast to Dundee, we have struggled to finish chances, with Ronan Hale's 95th-minute equaliser against Dundee United our only goal in four league games.

The international break will have allowed Cowie time with his players on the training pitch to try to gel his new-look side together. He'll hope they can build on some positive performances and turn chances into goals and points.

The Staggies failed to beat Dundee in the three meetings last season, drawing one and losing two. Cowie and his players will be keen to right those wrongs and pick up their first Premiership victory of the new campaign.

Ross Morren can be found at The County Corner, external

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After surviving relegation last term, it was always going to be a tough ask for Don Cowie's Ross County this time round.

So far, his side have picked up two points from four games so far and sit 10th in the Premiership.

The Dingwall club have scored just one goal so far this season, despite having an xG value of 3.79 - higher than St Mirren's 3.75 (who have scored six) and Hibs' 2.98 (who have scored three).

They have had just 50 touches in the opposition box, the lowest in the league, as is their shot conversion rate of 2.5%.

Don Cowie's side have conceded eight goals so far, with only Kilmarnock letting in more in the top flight. That number is also higher than their xG against of 6.64.

There are some promising signs in attack though. Ronan Hale has had seven shots on target this season, only Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi has had more, while George Harmon has created 10 chances, the same number as Rangers' James Tavernier.

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Goalkeeper Logan Ross has joined Elgin City on an emergency seven-day loan.

The 20-year-old started between the sticks as Elgin lost 3-1 to Kelty Hearts in the Challenge Cup on Saturday.

Ross is yet to make a first team appearance for Ross County and has spent most of his career out on loan.

BBC Sport Scotland chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your questions.

Graham asked: Would the Scottish Premiership be a better league with more teams? If so, how many more?

Tom answered: A 16-team league would bring a bit more variety, Graham. It would freshen things up and make it a bit more interesting for fans.

Whether the quality would improve is very debatable. You'd be getting more mismatches, in my view. In the beginning at any rate. I'd still be tempted to go for it, but the SPFL won't do it.

Few, if any, clubs, want to change the status quo, which might reduce the number of Old Firm games and lessen the TV contract, which means less money for everybody. Nobody is going there.

I'm dubious about the notion that a bigger league would mean managers would fear less about relegation and suddenly start playing young players. I just think they'd carry on as before. Bottom line: 16 teams would be a nice change, but it won't happen.

Get your questions ready.

Tom English, BBC Sport Scotland's chief sportswriter, is in the hotseat and ready to offer his insight and opinion on your club.

Four games into the Premiership campaign, what would you like to ask?

Put your questions to our man here, external.

Ross Morren
Fan writer

The 98th-minute Aberdeen goal that consigned Ross County to defeat in Saturday night's VAR-laden match felt like a real sucker punch.

There were a lot of questions about how Don Cowie’s side would react after their poor performance in the 6-0 defeat by Rangers at Hampden the week prior.

Cowie switched to a 3-5-2 and his side looked far more compact and confident in their defending to nullify Aberdeen’s attacking threat for the majority of the match.

Kacper Lopata, who was making his debut at the heart of the defence, was very impressive and marshalled the backline really well. Australia international Josh Nisbet was also making his first start in Dingwall and impressed the home fans with his energy and quality in the middle of the park.

Last season, County nearly went the entire Premiership season without being awarded a penalty before Angus MacDonald's foul on Jordan White handed the Staggies a spot-kick against Aberdeen on the final day. This term, County have been awarded penalties in successive home matches but have failed to score on both occasions.

Ronan Hale struck his penalty with power and accuracy which nine times out of 10 would find the back of the net. Huge credit has to go to Dimitar Mitov for making one of the best penalty saves I've seen in a long time.

The Staggies are quite unfortunate to be going into the international break with only two points from four league matches. In the key moments so far, such as the two penalties and conceding such a late winner on Saturday, luck really hasn’t been on our side.

With back-to-back home matches against Dundee and St Johnstone coming up followed by a trip to face struggling Hearts, Cowie will hope to use the international break to build on the positives he's seen from his side and turn the encouraging signs into points.

Ross Morren can be found at The County Corner, external

Barnsley defender Kacper Lopata believes his loan switch to Ross County can move him a step closer to realising his dream of breaking into the Poland national team. (Press & Journal), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Watch Sportscene analysis of the VAR decisions in Aberdeen's Premiership win over Ross County.

Watch highlights as Aberdeen secure a dramatic late win over Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

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Aberdeen top the Scottish Premiership for the first time in almost a decade after Kevin Nisbet's dramatic stoppage-time winner at Ross County gave them a ninth win in nine games under Jimmy Thelin.

Scotland international Nisbet, in his second appearance since signing on loan from Millwall, scored in the eighth minute of injury time.

How it took so long is a mystery, given the number of close calls before then.

County's Ronan Hale thought he had opened the scoring early in the first half when the ball ricocheted off his shin and trickled over the line.

However, his good fortune was short-lived as VAR stepped in to rule the goal out for offside. And there would be further disappointment for the striker when Dimitar Mitov saved his second-half penalty.

Aberdeen also had their moments, Slobadan Rubezic also being thwarted by VAR after he headed in a rebound from Vicente Besuijen’s free-kick.

The winger's effort struck the bar and bounced on the line before Rubezic’s follow-up did the same and, although referee Euan Anderson gave the goal, a lengthy VAR check determined another offside.

In the end, it didn't matter as Nisbet's composed finish ensured Aberdeen move above Celtic at the summit before the reigning champions play on Sunday.

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Adam Binnie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Much like Aberdeen, County also lost their talismanic striker in the summer when Simon Murray moved to Dundee. The numbers tell you his goals have not been replaced.

He scored 23 on his own last season and County have managed just one league goal this term.

Ronan Hale was impressive during the League Cup group stages, but his last-minute equaliser against Dundee United three weeks ago is his and County’s only strike in the Premiership.

He was incredibly unlucky to be denied twice here, first by a marginal offside and the second to an exceptional penalty save.

However, Don Cowie needs his frontmen to catch fire if they are to avoid the drop again.